Paladins are a class who’s fairly iconic in wow. They’re always a common sight and the playerbase is fairly vocal about their passion for the class, wether it be telling you that they’ve always played the class when it turns out it’s OP or letting you know that paladins need buffs because they’re never OP. Their armor is also iconic and have some stereotypes around them, or at least things I’ve noticed for the many years playing this game.
Disclaimer: Obviously stereotypes don’t apply to everyone, so don’t be offended if you don’t line up with the description of your currently transmogged tier set.
Also this will be exclusively raid tier sets, no dungeon or PvP. Tier sets that are for that entire armor type will also not be included, such as BFA.
Tier 1: Lawbringer
You’re not someone who’s easily impressed by these new flashier armor designs and wanted to use a classic instead.
You realized tier 2 is way over used and you couldn’t afford to buy all of tier 3, so you stuck with tier 1 as your iconic fashion style.
You’ve convinced yourself that “No way man, this set actually looks awesome and is actually way more iconic than tier 2” but the reason your entire raid keeps staring at you is because they’re currently blinded by its brightness and can’t find their mouse to turn away.
Tier 2: Judgement
Here it is, that armor set everyone knows because they see it 47 times a day, the Judgement armor set.
This may have been the armor set that convinced you to roll a paladin, after hitting level 27 in your original character you looked at the tier sets available and saw this, and instantly knew what you were destined to be.
And 17 years later you’re still using that destiny unfortunately, wearing that artifact weapon you’re convinced matches with it despite the fact the weapons handle has more polygons than the entire set and yes we notice.
Tier 3: Redemption
You want to convince people you played in classic so Redemption was the set for you!
Or you just really wanted to show off how rich you are but couldn’t afford the dreadnaught set.
Tier 4: Justice
You are a draenei, that’s basically it
Tier 5: Crystalforge
You’d think this would also be a draenei only armor set, but I seem to find it more on blood elf players. Maybe it’s cuz it’s a prettier color than most of the paladin sets?
Tier 6: Lightbringer
The best paladin set to come out of BC and youre sure to let us know.
Look at that flying little crown above your head, you’re royalty and you know it!
The sets usage died down in more recent years, but we all know why that is later down the line.
Tier 7: Redemption Plate (Hero and Valorous)
Nobody used the Hero version, we can just admit that right now (Except for the person who transmogged to it soley to say I’m wrong)
The Valorous one sees a bit of usage here and there, due to the fact it’s basically just a slightly higher resolution version of tier 3 with a much more holy light coloration
Weirdly really seems to be PvPers who use this more and I don’t know why
Tier 8: Aegis
You just wanted a helmet that still shows your hair cuz you’re playing a female toon, or a human male with the spikey ponytail
Don’t even try to deny it
Tier 10: Lightsworn
You originally hated this set due to the fact it looks somewhat rocky on the shoulders and it was going to make you wear a dress for the entire end of Wotlk
After doing ICC for the 217th time for Invincible, you’ve grown fond of how it looks, not sure if it just gradually charmed you or it is some kind of Stockholm syndrome
Tier 11: Sapphirium (Odd name)
You use it because nobody uses it.
You weren’t fond of it at all when you saw you were gunna be bright blue/white jagged rocks but you want to be unique know and saw your chance and took it
Keep being hideous you unique holyperson
Tier 12: Immolation
This is where you won in Cataclysm, the helmet and shoulders were beautiful and you were so excited to get your hands on it
Then you saw it was a dress and were heart broken.
To this day you keep trying to find something to match the helmet and shoulders too to avoid wearing the dress, but just embrace it cuz it’s actually a good set
Tier 13: Radiant Glory
Now I know I’ve said people dont use armor sets before, but I legit can’t think of the last time I’ve seen this one
It’s a shame cuz it’s not a bad sight or anything, it just doesn’t live up to the expectations other tier sets gave
If you are one of the few that use it, keep it up and represent that armor
Tier 14: White Tiger
You’re a ret paladin, or a pandaren warrior using boss drop versions
Another simple one
Tier 15: Lightning Emperor
An amazing raid and you get to be a staticy lightbulb, congratulations!
You like looking bad, and that’s why you use it with the Heroic version specifically
Tier 16: Winged Triumph
Now this is a flashy helmet, and you certainly like to use it to catch some eyes
Oddly I noticed the recolors seem to be matched up with specs
Blue seems to be for healers, yellow is for the tanks, and red for retribution
Why is this? No clue
Tier 17: Guiding Light
Remember how tier 4 was for draenei?
Well congratulations cuz you’ve upgraded to a lightforged draenei
Interesting only the normal set seems to be used, heroic never gets touched, and mythic very rarely
Tier 18: Ceaseless Vigil
Theyre a ret paladin and they use the mu hic version because it’s kind of edgy
This player will usually be aggressive but also not exactly good either
You’ll usually find them in LFR or normal dungeons where their gear will make them look way better than everyone else.
Tier 19: Highlord
You’re using the mythic version with the ashbringer
I can’t exactly blame you either for it, lot of paladin style here
Tier 20: Radiant Lightbringer
Tier 6 but better
You wanted to use tier 6 for a while due to the cool flying crown but it was so outdated looking you couldn’t bring yourself to do it
Well now you can in all its higher resolution glory
The purple set is for people trying to the edgy, and the yellow sets are for the purest of paladins
Nobody uses the green set
Tier 21: Lights Vanguard
You always hated how most plate gear is actually kind of slim looking and always wanted something bulkier
Well here you go, look at the size of them boots and those cool claw gauntlets
You’ll also exclusively use the Mythic version and find a tabard that matches it cuz the chest never drops for you and you’re not paying that much for a BoE for transmog
Tier 29?: Luminous Chevalier
Here it is, the newest tier set, also known as the only tier set you wear cuz you just like whatever’s new and you will instantly replace it with the tier 30 from dragonflight
Conclusion,
Dear gods I forgot how many tier sets there are and regretted starting this when I hit set 15
Hopefully you found some kind of enjoyment out of reading this, even if you only read the one for the tier set you wear
Will I do this for other classes?
Maybe, but not likely unless people really like this for whatever reason
